Column Judith Witte: Hygiene Protocols in Food Industry

At our house, the atmosphere is buzzing with the spirit of a 'spring cleaning'. The low-lying autumn sun mercilessly reveals the Saharan sand on the windows - it's high time to clean it off. Climbing to the attic to fetch the winter duvets and coats, I realize how cramped it has become. There's a saying, 'He who saves, has something...' but I observe, 'He who saves, eventually has too much'. Time to get rid of the clutter! I air the duvets outside, and the floor gets a good waxing.

But there's more to it. Various family members have visited the tattoo and piercing shop. A hygiene protocol was provided for the ensuing wounds. I used to have to sometimes shove my teenagers into the shower, but now they strictly follow the protocol to prevent infections. All for perfect healing. The washing machine is working overtime, and we're quickly going through disinfectant soap.

The ancient Greeks already knew the connection between cleanliness and health. 'Hygieia' is the Greek goddess of health and cleanliness. Okay, this knowledge somewhat faded into the background during the Middle Ages. Back then, people thought that baths could cause the plague. Fortunately, understanding improved later: the 19th and a major part of the 20th century are often seen as the 'golden ages' of hygiene and public health. Everyone should know about the key figures who contributed to today's hygiene knowledge: Dr. John Snow (1813-1858), one of the first to shed light on the principle of pathogens (the 'germ theory of disease'). And Louis Pasteur (1822 – 1895), who provided scientific proof and confirmed that theory. Ignaz Semmelweis caused a revolution in medical practices in terms of hygiene in 1846. The obstetrician instructed his team to wash their hands with a chlorine-containing solution based on hypochlorite to prevent deaths in childbirth.

Now, in the 21st century, not so long ago, we all were excessively washing our hands: coronavirus protocol. But this has quickly changed; the protocol is fading into the background. The FSA (UK) recently noted a decline in hand hygiene: all hand hygiene rules (such as duration, use of soap, moments) are less strictly followed, and the percentage of respondents washing their hands after using the toilet has decreased. Oh dear. How does this compare with the employees in your company?

Just an idea for some awareness: encourage them to get a piercing or tattoo. It might hurt for a bit, but it's worth it.

Judith Witte
Editor-in-Chief